The second time around for the Performer of the Week Contest proved to be extremely noteworthy.
In our initial fall season back in 2010, we had a total of 94,416 votes cast by 1907 voters. This year in 2011, we 244,781 votes cast by 4100 voters.
Last winter, from 2010-2011, we had 174,314 votes cast by 2381 voters, a sizeable increase. This year, though, we had 259,729 votes processed from 6796 voters.
One week this winter, we had votes come in from over 30 countries. We averaged voters from 22 different states each week this season compared to 16 last year.
What does all this mean??? Whether it was a first-time winner like El Paso-Gridley, GCMS, our last winner Streator, or some consistent winners like Cumberland, LeRoy or Pontiac, we have communities that love their sports, their athletes, and their schools.
This little weekly get-together is designed to help promote the GOOD high school kids do. As we look ahead to this coming fall, we hope you believe it’s all been worth it!
Thanks to all of you from Champion Fitness Physical Therapy!
The Streator Bulldog Boys Basketball Team!
You won the Regional in Triple OT, and you’ve won $100 for your school’s PE Department – in a landslide victory!!
Good luck as you move on to Sectionals this Tuesday against Champaign Central! Go Bulldogs!!!
This was our FINAL Performer of the Week Contest for the year. We will not continue this contest during the spring season, but we will keep you posted on our plans for next year. In the meantime, Champion Fitness Physical Therapy challenges you to GET BUSY LIVING!
The Performer of the Week contest was designed for communities to rally to the support of their local high school athletic teams, give them some recognition, and, if they are fortunate to have a strong following, win $100 for their school’s PE department. Nobody else does it better than LeRoy!
Through 11 weeks this winter, the Panthers have walked away with SIX first place finishes, an unheard of number any way we look at it. It culminated this week with Victory #6, a combined effort of the State trophy winners—-the Class 1A 4th place title for the girls basketball program and the Class 1A Dual Championship for the wrestling team. Two teams with one thing in mind—winning!
But the story goes a bit beyond that! Each time I came to LeRoy High School to present a framed certificate and an envelope with a check in it, I was always greeted by an appreciative AD and office staff. I met a group of high school kids who were obviously proud of their accomplishments, yet were very cooperative when I approached them about getting their pictures taken. I saw a school that had Panther Pride splattered all over, with signs and banners recognizing achievements of both the athletes and the ACADEMICS being taught in the building! (“Read!” was my favorite.) The community involvement? Just take a look at all of the pictures with fire truck rides around town!
Like so many other high schools and communities in our Champion Fitness Physical Therapy area, LeRoy does things the right way. We have one week to go, and I hope this final winner enjoys it with the same enthusiasm that the other towns and school have shown so far. This is what high school athletics should be all about!
They’ve done it again!!!! For the sixth time this winter, LeRoy High School wins the Performer of the Week contest!
And deservedly so! Last week, their Girls Basketball team finsihed 4th in IHSA Class A while the wrestling team captured the IHSA 1A Dual Championship. Lots to be proud of in that town—plenty of reasons for fire truck rides through the streets!!! Another certificate…another $100 for the Panthers!
ONE MORE CHANCE!!! Our final contest begins now…Entries are due at mpeterson@champfit.com by Wednesday
Now THIS is what we are talking about when we say “COMPETITION!”
A record number of voters (936) took part in Week #10 of the Performer of the Week contest, and the LeRoy Wrestling Panthers come away with their third victory of the winter, barely edging out Dane Bose of Ridgeview. Luke Clapp and Doug Findley from Tri-County High School came in third.
The total number of votes (26,807) for the Panthers, who are competing at the State Tournament this weekend, along with the Lady Panthers Basketball team, represents the highest number of votes cast for a winning team, and the total number of votes (52,858) marks the third highest vote in Contest history. What makes these numbers even more amazing is that the amount of time used for the Finals in the new format has been reduced by 4 hours! So congrats to one and all!.
The framed certificate and the $100 check will head to LeRoy again. We have only TWO weeks left—get your nominations in to mpeterson@champfit.com by next Wednesday!
The power of social media!
Ever since we began the Performer of the Week contest in the Fall of 2011, it has always been interesting to follow the origin and the number of voters that enter the contest each week. We’ve never had votes from more than 25 states, half of the country, for example. We also like to learn if the news filters beyond our shores. We’ve had plenty of votes from Canada, and we’ve heard from the United Kingdom occasionally; we’ve also heard from scattered countries around the globe, thirteen coming in the final week of our Fall competition in 2011.
That was before this week!
Spreading the word through social media has always been a boon to the success of this campaign, whether it be Facebook or Twitter, but it’s been nothing like this!
34! Counting the US and our weekly “Mystery Unknown” country (Maybe from outer space), we had votes come from 34 countries around the world. Some voted a lot; others voted a few times; still others voted only once. Each of our finalists was represented by the global balloting.
Here’s the list of countries who jumped on board: Canada, UK, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Australia, Singapore, Denmark, Guam, Argentina, Qatar, Switzerland, Ireland, Russia, Vietnam, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Phillines, Trinidad & Tobago, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Spain, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Mauritius, Sewden, and Taiwan.
Too good to be true? Probably, but that’s our computer tells us…and it sure is fun! Our question is “Where were France, Italy, and Greece?”
Congratulations to Chet McClure of GCMS Wrestling for winning this week’s Performer of the Week Contest! He will be presented with a framed certificate recognizing his achievment, and his school’s PE Department will be awarded with a check for $100!!!
Next week is “Oscar Week” and Week #10 of our Contest! Get those acceptance speeches ready because YOUR school may have the opportunity to win $100! (Sorry, no gold statuettes). Send in your nominations by Wednesday 10pm to mpeterson@champfit.com. Remember – all nominees will be entered in our preliminary round.
A late rush by Streator came up a bit short, and the LeRoy Wrestling Team wins for the second time this winter season. The grapplers join the LeRoy Girls BB as two-time winners, which gives LeRoy its FOURTH overall $100 check. We will presnt the wrestlers with their framed certificate and give the school its winnings, as we prepare for Week #9. Remember, ALL legitimate nominees qualify for the preliminary round. Send your entries to mpeterson@champfit.com by Wednesday, February 15 at 10 PM. That $100 would make an excellent Valentine’s Day present.
For the past two years, the “Get Busy Living” Performer of the Week contest has rewarded top performances by individuals and high schools from all over central Illinois. Recognition for the athletes and an additional $100 for the winning school’s PE department have created several opportunities for exposure that don’t often come along.
In an effort to give even more schools a chance to achieve that goal, we are making the following adjustments to our contest:
• Nominations for performances MUST be turned in by Wednesday at 10 PM. Only those with statistical backing for the performance will be accepted. “A great kid,” for example, although it is exemplary, would not qualify. A team that won on a last-second shot would qualify.
• Each nominee will be posted on the Champion website on the “Performer of the Week” page.
• Rather than screen the nominees and announce THREE finalists at 8 AM on Thursday morning, ALL entries will be listed for a preliminary round of voting.
• The preliminary round will run from 8 AM until 4 PM on Thursday. At 4 PM, the field will be narrowed to three finalists who will then compete until Noon on Friday.
• The three finalists will compete starting at 4 with a clean slate. Votes will NOT be carried over.
• Results will be visible in the finals until the final hour (11-12).
• Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the voting, as before.
We believe that this change will give EVERYONE a fair chance to make the finals without bias. We want YOU the fans of these young people to be the determining factor in our contest.
These changes will take effect beginning with the contest on February 9-10.
Whatever the Casey-Westfield Dance team is selling, we should all buy some. The group has been nominated twice, and they have come through on both occasions as winners. For the second year in a row, we proclaim them “Performer of the Week” winners! They will receive a framed certificate recognizing their state-qualifying accomplishments, and Casey-Westfield High School PE Department gets a check for $100.
Week #8 could have the same sort of surprises. We had 615 voters cast almost 22,500 votes, and we have an idea that might appeal to everybody for next week’s contest. But it won’t matter unless you nominate somebody or some team from your community! Send them to mpeterson@champfit.com by Wednesday, February 8 at 10 PM.
Be looking here for more information coming soon!!!
For the third time this winter, LeRoy High School has emerged as the Performer of the Week winner. Before, it had been the Girls Basketball team who had come out on top; this week, the #2 team in Class A Wrestling, on the heels of their Randy Bowman Invitational Championship, staged a furious rally in the last couple of hours behind a record number of voters to come away with the award. A total of 830 voters went to the polls, far surpassing the previous record of 696 set earlier this fall. Votes came from 25 states, plus Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The wrestling squad will receive a framed certificate for their achievement, while LeRoy HS will receive its third check for $100 for its PE department.
Is there anybody out there who thinks they can steal LeRoy’s thunder? Nominations for Week #7 can now be turned in at mpeterson@champfit.com before next Wednesday, February 1 at 10 PM.
Another great job by our voters!!!! Over 300 voters and close to 16, 000 votes cast! And another come from behind win! In resounding style!!!!
Congratulations to Molly Marcum of LeRoy HS, this week’s winner of the Performer of the Week honor. It’s Molly’s second time as a winner, but this time she gets it all by herself. Last time she got to share it with teammate Ashley Walker. Molly will receive a framed certificate for her achievement, and LeRoy HS will garner its 2nd $100 check this winter for the PE Department.
Week #6 is underway. Nominations can be truned in to mpeterson@champfit.com by 10 PM on January 25!
Congratulations to Pontiac’s Kyle Crowley, the winner of Week #4 of the Performer of the Week contest. The cold and the snow gave people lots of reason to stay by their computers in the past 24 hours. A whopping 624 voters took advantage of this contest from 25 states around the country and Canada. Kyle will receive a framed certificate while Pontiac High School earns 4100 for its PE department.
Week #5 nominations are due by Wednesday, January 18 at 10 PM. Send them to mpeterson@champfit.com. Repeat nominees are welcome!!!!
Week #3 winners of the Performer of the Week contest came from the undefeated El Paso-Gridley Girls basketball team. You would never know they are riding high with their accomplishments. They came out of the State Farm Classsic over Christmas as 1A-2A champions, defeating a very good Central Catholic team, have a bullseye on teir backs now with their record, and still seem intent on taking care of business with each game in 2012. Most importantly, they seem to be enjoying the moment, a lesson all of us could learn. They were very appreciative of their award, yet were not going to let it go to their heads. Instead, they were just enjoying the recognition, a pair of small towns who have joined forces to produce a quality basketball team, and, more importantly, a quality group of young ladies. Their coach, Kyle Bobbitt, said it best, “I really appreciate you coming over and having this contest to honor our girls’ accomplishment. The whole experience of the tournament, being interviewed on WEEK, and winning this Performer of the Week will be something that these girls remember for a lifetime.” ‘Nuff said.
Week #4 will begin this Thursday. Get your nominations in by Wednesday night at 10!
At 8:00 this morning, only 550 votes had been cast in this week’s Performer of the Week contest from a grand total of 9 voters.
THEN, the word spread….and the voters got involved…and the schools got involved…and the votes started coming in rapidly.
Some got kicked out (watch that rapid-voting, people!!!!), but more got involved…and we had a tremendous finish with 177 voters casting over 5300 votes.
Congrats to the El Paso-Gridley Girls basketball team who staged a late rally in the last half hour to come from behind and capture Week #3 honors. This undefeated squad will receive a framed certificate in honor of their winning the State Farm Classic, and EPG’s PE department will receive a check for $100.
Let’s do it again! NOMINATIONS for Week #4 can be sent to mpeterson@champfit.com by next Wednesday, January 11 at 10 PM.
Molly Marcum (L) and Ashley Walker (R) with LeRoy GBB Coach Danielle Cooley
Cumberland's Kamisha Holsapple with AD Roy Clapp
The girls have outshone the guys so far this winter in the “Get Busy Living” Performer of the Week Contest. First of all, Kamisha Holsapple of the Cumberland Lady Pirates won Week #1, while last week, the one-two punch for the LeRoy Lady Panthers Basketball squad, Molly Marcum and Ashley Walker, captured top-honors.
The next opportunity to vote will be January 5—any and all performances bewtween now and that date will be eligible for nomination, including Holiday Tournaments involving wrestling, basketball, or cheerleading.
Sned your nomination to mpeterson@champfit.com
On behalf of all of us at Champion Fitness Physical Therapy, have a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Congratulations out to both Molly Marcum and Ashley Walker of the LeRoy Girls basketball program, currently ranked in the top 5 in Class 1A with a 12-1 record, who captured top honors in Week #2 of the Winter Performer of the Week competition. Each of the girls will receive a framed certificate recognizing her achievement, while LeRoy High School will receive a check for $100 for the PE department.
A total of 559 voters from 20 states and Canada took part in this election. Congratulations on getting the word out! We regret having to delete the rogue voter but it is in everyone’s interest to be as fair as possible.
Our next contest will start on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, accepting all entries from now until January 5. Send your entries to mpeterson@champfit.com with a performance rationale for your nominations.
Until then, have a Merry Christmas from all of us at Champion!
Congratulations are extended to Kamisha Holsapple from the Cumberland Lady Pirate Girls Basketball team, our FIRST winner of the Performer of the Week-Winter edition. Kamisha will receive a framed certificate recognizing her achievement, while Cumberland High School will receive the the FIRST $100 check of the winter campaign.
Nominations for Week #2 are now being accepted until Wednesday, December 14 at 10 PM at mpeterson@champfit.com
When we began the “Get Busy Living” Performer of the Week contest a year ago, we hoped it would stimulate the high schools, the communities, and our clinics to collaborate and support the efforts of their athletes and teams on a weekly basis. Adding a $100 check for the PE department emphasizing our philosphy on fitness for our youth sweetened the pot, but mostly we were hoping to build community pride. We were definitely pleased with our results in the fall, as the number of participants and schools getting involved generated the type of enthusiasm we were hoping to get.
Year #2 presented a different challenge for us, as we decided to promote the event ourselves through emails, promotions, and our website, not relying on local media to do our work. It was a bit risky, but we felt it was a litmus test to see how well we could communicate on our own.
The results were staggering….
2010 Total Votes Cast (12 weeks) 94,416 2011 Total Votes Cast (12 weeks) 244,781
2010 Average Vote 1st Place 4,048 2011 Average Vote 1st Place 10,876
2010 Total Number of Voters 1,907 2011 Total Number of Voters 4,100
2010 Average Voters per Week 159 2011 Average Voters per Week 342
2010 Average # of States Voting 15.6 2011 Average # od States Voting 22.8
As you can see, we had virtually TWICE as much participation in most of these categories as we did in 2010. We set records for most votes, most votes by a winner, most voters in a week, and the largest number of foreign countries having votes cast in a week!
What was the difference??? Simple. YOU! YOU got involved! You supported your favorites! and YOU spread the word!!!!! Social media plays a huge part in this, but YOU are the ones who made this contest!!!
And, on behalf of Champion Fitness Physical Therapy, I would like to say….thank you…very much…..!
Be looking for our Winter edition to begin next month!!!!
Congratulations to the Tuscola Warriors Football team. They are the winners of Week #12 of the “Get Busy Living” Performer of the Week contest. Sporting their “playoff beards,” head coach Rick Reinhart and quarterback Phil Meyer are shown with their winnings, including a check for $100 for the PE department. The Warriors will be playing for the Class 1A Sate Championship this Friday against Dakota at 10:00 at Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus.
